Area businessman Lou Stutzke receives Champion of Character Award for
work in Mayfield community

May
1, 2017Last fall the Mayfield Character Education
Committee, which is comprised of parents, students, faculty, and
administration, nominated Lou Stutzke, owner of Fuel N
Food on Route 30 for the Champion of Character Award.

This award is given to students, educators, business and community
leaders who exhibit positive character by the Academy of Character
Education at Russell Sage College in Troy.

On Wednesday evening, April 26, Lou was honored with receiving this
award at the Champion of Character Banquet at the Franklin Plaza in Troy
hosted by the Academy of Character Education. On hand to present his
award was NYS Assemblyman John T. McDonald III and Dr. Bruce Crowder of
Educational Vistas, Inc.

Members of the committee chose to nominate Lou Stutzke for the Champion
of Character because of his unwavering support of the people and
community of Mayfield, as well as his open respect and friendliness
towards everyone and anyone.

Lou has been a huge part of the culture of our town since he first
purchased his gas station on route 30 at the age of 21. He has since
grown his business into a well-known local landmark and hub for
residents and visitors to the Adirondack region. “The Convenience Store
with a Little More” is a favorite stop for many, as Lou is everybody’s
“good neighbor”. He knows people by name, taking the time to say hello
and chat about whatever is on their mind or events in their lives.

Lou is very involved in the community, supporting a number of events &
contests throughout the year, events that bring in additional business
to the area, particularly during the winter months when the summer
camping season has come to an end. Perhaps the biggest attraction to the
area is the annual Walleye Fishing Challenge, which awards upwards of
$70,000 in cash and prizes. This challenge brings in approximately 3000
people from not only New York, but Vermont, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Students at Mayfield have commented on
the fun and fond memories of time spent with family and friends during
Lou’s events.

Supporting the people of the community also includes helping the junior
class fundraise money with a fishing contest of their own. Lou regularly
donates to such school events as Post Prom; sending an extremely big, as
in a very long & large submarine sandwich to satisfy a hungry crowd of
teens.

Lou is a great example of Character in motion for not only the residents
of Mayfield, but for all those who come to visit the little town on the
southern tip of the Adirondack Park. Lou’s big smile and cheerful
“hello” is just the beginning of a great experience.

Celebrating Lou and his Champion of Character award Wednesday evening
was Mary Alice Hipwell, Director of Student Services at
Mayfield CSD; Kelly Montanye, Strategic Partnership
Coordinator; Gina Dabiere-Gibbs, Tourism Director from
the Fulton-Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce; Sandy Brower,
member of the Leadership Board for The Academy of Character Education;
and Lauren Lozier, Mayfield School Psychologist.

Click on the image above to enlarge it. The photo from the award
ceremony shows, from left to right: Mary Alice Hipwell, Kelly Montanye,
Gina Dabiere-Gibbs, Lou Stutzke, Sandy Brower, and Lauren Lozier.